Overview
- Britain’s National Crime Agency published findings from Operation Destabilise detailing a multinational laundering system linking organized crime with sanctioned Russian actors.
- Investigators say couriers collected cash from drug trafficking and other crimes, converted it into cryptocurrencies, and routed funds to sanctioned individuals, including payments reaching Russian military and technology firms.
- The network known as TGR allegedly bought a majority stake in US‑sanctioned Keremet Bank in Kyrgyzstan to serve as a hub for sanctions evasion.
- The Financial Times reports, citing the NCA work, that Russian intelligence used these channels to finance a Bulgarian spy ring associated with fugitive ex‑Wirecard executive Jan Marsalek, who is reported to be in Russia.
- Authorities report about 128 arrests across several countries and more than £25 million seized in the UK, while Austria’s Interior Ministry is reviewing a request that could revoke Marsalek’s citizenship.